New Owner of a 2008 HHR SS
09-16-2014, 07:31 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 09-16-2014
Location: Calgary, AB Canada
Posts: 128
New Owner of a 2008 HHR SS
Hello Everyone!
I just joined the group and this is my first post.
Back in July I took possession of a Black 2008 5 spd HHR SS with only 34,000 Km (~21,000 miles) on it. Basically a brand-new 2008! Got a great deal on it too. I traded a Ford F150 Super-crew truck that cost me around $13,000 CAD for the SS plus some cash. So all in I think it cost me somewhere around $12,000 - $12,500 CAD for the SS. I think that was a pretty good deal, wouldn't you say?
I'm in my early 50s and this is the first GM product I've ever owned. Been a Volvo guy all my life and have always driven modified/performance enhanced Volvo 240s and 940 Turbos. Got some classic 60's vintage Volvos too. I bought this car to be a company vehicle for a little business that I own and will be doing a complete wrap on the vehicle as soon as I get all the artwork completed. When wrapped, the base color will be Ford Race Red (brighter and more noticeable than Victory Red) so the HHR should really stand out on the road.
So far I am really enjoying driving the SS and find it really fun to drive. Only problem is that on my first long road trip with it I got caught speeding at over 40 km/hr over the limit at a revenue/speed trap in BC, Canada which meant automatic impound of the car for 7 days and a nasty fine
As a result, I purchased a Escort Passport 9500 ci radar/laser detection system for the car. Haven't installed it yet though. That'll happen soon I hope.
I have lots of questions to post about this car but I'll search the forums first to make sure the questions haven't already been answered.
I was talking about the SS to a GM Engineer that I know and he offered to modify the computer programming on the car to get another 40 hp. Not sure if I really need that given the trouble I've already gotten myself into with the car.
Is it worth getting this done? What kind of boost will the car make with this mod? Will I have to run Premium only if I do it? Right now I run mid-grade and it seems to run just fine.
I'm pretty sure I saw somewhere that you're supposed to run 5W-30 oil in that car. Notwithstanding that, would it be okay to run 10W-30 synthetic?
Thanks!
I just joined the group and this is my first post.
Back in July I took possession of a Black 2008 5 spd HHR SS with only 34,000 Km (~21,000 miles) on it. Basically a brand-new 2008! Got a great deal on it too. I traded a Ford F150 Super-crew truck that cost me around $13,000 CAD for the SS plus some cash. So all in I think it cost me somewhere around $12,000 - $12,500 CAD for the SS. I think that was a pretty good deal, wouldn't you say?
I'm in my early 50s and this is the first GM product I've ever owned. Been a Volvo guy all my life and have always driven modified/performance enhanced Volvo 240s and 940 Turbos. Got some classic 60's vintage Volvos too. I bought this car to be a company vehicle for a little business that I own and will be doing a complete wrap on the vehicle as soon as I get all the artwork completed. When wrapped, the base color will be Ford Race Red (brighter and more noticeable than Victory Red) so the HHR should really stand out on the road.
So far I am really enjoying driving the SS and find it really fun to drive. Only problem is that on my first long road trip with it I got caught speeding at over 40 km/hr over the limit at a revenue/speed trap in BC, Canada which meant automatic impound of the car for 7 days and a nasty fine
As a result, I purchased a Escort Passport 9500 ci radar/laser detection system for the car. Haven't installed it yet though. That'll happen soon I hope.I have lots of questions to post about this car but I'll search the forums first to make sure the questions haven't already been answered.
I was talking about the SS to a GM Engineer that I know and he offered to modify the computer programming on the car to get another 40 hp. Not sure if I really need that given the trouble I've already gotten myself into with the car.
Is it worth getting this done? What kind of boost will the car make with this mod? Will I have to run Premium only if I do it? Right now I run mid-grade and it seems to run just fine.
I'm pretty sure I saw somewhere that you're supposed to run 5W-30 oil in that car. Notwithstanding that, would it be okay to run 10W-30 synthetic?
Thanks!
Last edited by DangerBoy; 09-16-2014 at 08:45 PM. Reason: Correct a date
09-16-2014, 10:46 PM
#2
Platinum Member
Join Date: 04-09-2006
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 7,037
Congrats and welcome. Sounds like a sweet deal.
Yeah ya gotta watch your speed here, else you loose your car.
10-30 synthetic? No!!! 5-30 is what is recommended - stick with that, and that only.
Yeah ya gotta watch your speed here, else you loose your car.
10-30 synthetic? No!!! 5-30 is what is recommended - stick with that, and that only.
09-16-2014, 11:18 PM
#3
Platinum Member
Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,368
Welcome to the site. 
I would suggest Premium fuel only as it sits now because that's what GM recommends anyway.
There are many aftermarket tunes available out there that can give you 30-50 more hp safely. But, if you have a friend that can do it then why not.
I have the GM turbo upgrade(GMTU) that's good for an extra 30hp and 55lbs tq.
I would suggest Premium fuel only as it sits now because that's what GM recommends anyway.
There are many aftermarket tunes available out there that can give you 30-50 more hp safely. But, if you have a friend that can do it then why not.
I have the GM turbo upgrade(GMTU) that's good for an extra 30hp and 55lbs tq.
09-17-2014, 09:02 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 09-16-2014
Location: Calgary, AB Canada
Posts: 128
Welcome to the site.
I would suggest Premium fuel only as it sits now because that's what GM recommends anyway.
There are many aftermarket tunes available out there that can give you 30-50 more hp safely. But, if you have a friend that can do it then why not.
I have the GM turbo upgrade(GMTU) that's good for an extra 30hp and 55lbs tq.
I would suggest Premium fuel only as it sits now because that's what GM recommends anyway.
There are many aftermarket tunes available out there that can give you 30-50 more hp safely. But, if you have a friend that can do it then why not.
I have the GM turbo upgrade(GMTU) that's good for an extra 30hp and 55lbs tq.
The guy offering to do the tune for me is an Engineer that works in the General Motors office in my town. The company I work for and GM share space in the same building so that's kind of handy. I may take him up on the offer to do the tune but it will depend on how much the upgrade will affect things like engine life and fuel consumption, etc. I guess the biggest variable in determining those things will be how hard I drive the car. Having all that extra power and torque will be awfully tempting...
Also, I have to consider that my car doesn't have the Brembo brake option so I'm wondering just how safe it is to give the car that much more power and torque and not upgrade the brakes at the same time...
09-17-2014, 09:14 PM
#6
Platinum Member
Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,368
It would depend on what type tune he would give you.
Mine, with the GMTU, my gas mileage has actually increased about 1.5-2 mpgs from when it was stock.
Now, with the type of driving I do, I'll average about 28 mpgs per tank.
Mine, with the GMTU, my gas mileage has actually increased about 1.5-2 mpgs from when it was stock.
Now, with the type of driving I do, I'll average about 28 mpgs per tank.
09-18-2014, 10:23 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-06-2008
Location: Grand Haven, MI
Posts: 1,761
Welcome to the site!
I have the same, color, year, trans that you have.
If you get sick of not having the armrest, check out the thread on adding one, I did on mine (passengers side) and love it.
As far as oil goes, you MUST use 5W30 Synthetic oil, not only that, it must meet GMs criteria. There is a list on this site, do a search.
As far as fuel goes, you can run regular 87 octane on a stock tune, but most tunes, including the GM tune, require premium.
The passport may be a good idea, but I thought they were outlawed in Canada? Is the one you mentioned one that is installed discreetly? If so, can't they detect a detector?
I am wondering as I frequently drive in Canada (Ontario) and would like to know what I can get away with
I have the same, color, year, trans that you have.
If you get sick of not having the armrest, check out the thread on adding one, I did on mine (passengers side) and love it.
As far as oil goes, you MUST use 5W30 Synthetic oil, not only that, it must meet GMs criteria. There is a list on this site, do a search.
As far as fuel goes, you can run regular 87 octane on a stock tune, but most tunes, including the GM tune, require premium.
The passport may be a good idea, but I thought they were outlawed in Canada? Is the one you mentioned one that is installed discreetly? If so, can't they detect a detector?
I am wondering as I frequently drive in Canada (Ontario) and would like to know what I can get away with
09-19-2014, 04:21 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-20-2011
Location: Savanna Illinois
Posts: 737
I don't know about Canada but here in the glorious free state of Illinois having a radar detector can and will get you a fine even if they happen to find it locked in the trunk of your car and not functioning.
My brother in law found out that in Virginia they will not only give you a fine but they will confiscate any radar detectors they might find and its the same in Georgia, in Georgia he found out the state patrol has a radar detector detector in most of their patrol cars. So he has lost at least three radar detectors so far.
So yes, the technology exists to fine your bird dog.
My brother in law found out that in Virginia they will not only give you a fine but they will confiscate any radar detectors they might find and its the same in Georgia, in Georgia he found out the state patrol has a radar detector detector in most of their patrol cars. So he has lost at least three radar detectors so far.
So yes, the technology exists to fine your bird dog.
Last edited by Grizzly old man; 09-19-2014 at 12:17 PM.
09-19-2014, 11:54 AM
#10
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 37,620
Welcome to the site, there are kits available for the Brembo's and for even larger 14.5 inch discs and caliper kits , check out ZZ Performance 14.5" Big Brake Upgrade kit
www.chevyhhr.net/.../brakes...suspension
www.chevyhhr.net/.../brakes...suspension